At the southernmost point of wall Maria, just a few hundred yards from the still looming walls, a town with no name had sprung up against the banks of the river. A road of sorts led back to the walls, but nothing led out save for a thin footpath worn through trees by the few brave enough to risk leaving the shadow of the wall.

Eren could still smell the salt on his skin and clothes if he concentrated. The wind at the shore had tussled his hair, and he'd waded in as far as he could before the water had lapped at his shoulders. He'd splashed about and laughed and felt as free as any man could, but it had all only lasted a moment. He had gone alone after all.

Outside a small cabin in a town with no name he split another log in two and swore at no one in particular. How long had it been since he'd seen them? Almost a year for Armin, who had thrown himself headfirst in to bettering the lives of every remaining citizen. He'd been dressed like a politician when they'd last spoken, and in too much of a hurry to even hear Eren out. They should have seen the edge of the world together. They should have jumped in hand in hand.

'Traitors.' He muttered, splitting another log.

He tried not to think about her.

Mikasa tried not to wake him as she moved his arm. Jean hadn't been asleep long and he needed more than her to function normally. He and Armin were up late most nights plotting food intake and growth rates, drawing up patrol rosters and proposals for outings. He deserved his mornings undisturbed.

Not her though. She slid out of bed and looked down at him, the poster child for exhaustion. A faint smile graced her lips, but it vanished as she set about changing her clothes. A scout uniform lay pressed and ready on top of the dresser, and she slung it on with practiced hands, laces and buttons all finding their place with ease. Her boots fit just as well as they ever had, but they were worn now, in need of replacement not just repair.

Her hand came up to her neck, pressing to the exposed windpipe And hollow of her throat. It still felt strange, and she could hear her voice rattling around her own head. 'I don't need this, or you anymore!'

Taking a deep breath, she swept her growing hair up into a sloppy bun. She'd have to cut it soon, but what was the harm in letting Jean run his hands through it for one more night? She liked the sensation as much as he did.

Downstairs, Levi and Connie were already waiting, though one was more prepared than the other. Her old captain nodded with the slightest quirk of his lips at the corner, but Connie Springer could barely muster a nod.

'Ackerman.' Levi turned to Connie, narrowing his eyes. 'Springer's been waiting here a while to see you.'

She widened her eyes and feigned shock as best she could. 'Connie?'

He glared at her. 'I thought you two would be here at the crack of dawn.'

Levi shrugged. 'Titan's are dead kid. We've earnt an extra hour or two each morning.'

'Are you here to train?' Mikasa asked, truth be told, a little hopefully. She and Levi were good sparring partners, but fresh blood couldn't hurt.

'Titan's are dead kid.' He echoed. 'I have some news. Wanted to tell you all, but if you could pass the invitations out...'

'Invitations?' She couldn't help a small girlish grin. In her letters, Sasha had mentioned weird conversations and her doubts but mostly hopes for a wedding, a marriage, a life beyond the terror of the last few years. 'You're... Married?'

'Getting married.' Connie nodded. 'Soon. We were hoping you could be there. All of you.'

Levi snorted. 'I always thought she'd be your best man, Springer. Not your wife.'

'Me too, truth be told sir.'

'When?'

'Less than a month, but Mikasa, Sasha really wants you there.'

'Why?'

He frowned. 'You are the closest thing she has to a friend I guess. Excluding me, of course.'

'Oh... To help?'

He nodded. 'And to get all drunk and pretty with I suppose.'

'Drunk and pretty.' Levi shook his head. 'How many weddings have you kids been to?'

'Not many sir.' The young man grinned. 'But hopefully more now.'

The girl's fingertips danced down the hard ridges of his chest and stomach as she hummed. She was a seamstress back in the walls, but if he concentrated he could feel the freshly formed callouses of her fingertips. The sun had worked colour in to the young woman's cheeks, but her hair was dark enough and long, almost black. Her voice was too sweet though, and every word was stretched out and gnawed upon, but she said very little he bothered to listen to anyway.

'I should head back.' She whispered, flashing him a look that said she had no intention of leaving. Her mouth waited in to a cocky crooked smile as she began to unlace his pants.

He propped himself up on his elbows to watch, but his mind couldn't focus. The invitation had arrived that morning, carried by a scout legion rookie who's hand had shook as he spoke with Eren. The kid had, naturally, asked questions.

'I heard... Well they say you are the reason we're still here sir. You and Captain Ackerman.'

'They exaggerate.' Eren smiled. 'And please, I'm retired, so Eren is fine.'

The young boy had looked demented at that. The cogs in his head were stuck somewhere between calling the war hero by his first name and the fact he had just touched his hand. 'S... Can I ask...'

'Go ahead.' He nodded, ignoring the gold leaf lettering for the time being.

'Well... They say you can't... That you can't shift anymore... Because... Because of...'

He let out a breath and smiled at the boy and all the unasked questions. 'Why would I need to, eh? All of the Titans are dead.'

A cheeky smile lit up the boy's face. 'Yes sir. Of course.'

She was almost finished with the laces when he stopped her, shaking his head and taking her small hands in one of his. 'I have to go, I got a letter this morning. I'm needed.'

The sweetness melted away from her expression. 'And will you be coming back?'

He shrugged. 'Yes but I can't say how long I'll be. A month or two at least.'

She stood, straightening out her simple blue dress. 'Well,' She forced a smile. 'If you do come back, I should think I'll still be here.'

'I'll come back. But if some handsome hunter type asks for your hand, don't refuse him on my account.' He teased.

Once she had left he turned the card over and over in his hands. 'Connie and Sasha', he repeated smiling to himself, then he read the scrawled lettering Connie had etched in to the back. 'No excuses Eren. We want you there, so be there.'

It would be nice to see everyone again. Even... Maybe not everyone.